Sallachy Wind Farm goes to Committee

WKN AG has welcomed the Highland Council’s official report recommending that the North Planning Applications Committee raise no objection to Sallachy Wind Farm when they discuss it at the committee meeting next week (Tuesday 21 May).

Once the North Planning Applications Committee has made their recommendation, the decision is passed to Scottish Ministers who will make the final decision as it is a Section 36 application.

WKN submitted their initial planning application in December 2011 and an addendum in January 2013. Since submission, WKN has been actively engaging with local communities and organisations where several partnerships have now been signed. These include a community benefit scheme with three of the local community councils and a graduate placement scheme with North Highland College’s Environmental Research Institute (ERI), part of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Oliver Patent, Head of International Development at WKN, said:

“We are delighted that the application has met with the approval of the Highland Council planners and we hope this view is supported by Highland Councillors when it goes to the North Planning Applications Committee.

“Our Sallachy project is our first proposed development in the UK and represents a potential investment into Scotland of over £130m and the creation of over 70 new jobs. The planners recommendation is the first step forward in making this potential investment in the Highlands a reality.

“WKN is aware of the debate surrounding wild land. In our discussions with local people in the area, we have concluded that the local people want wind farms that are sensitively sited and are not sited close to rural Highland communities. We believe our wind farm is sited in such a location and will bring many benefits to the Highlands and the local communities in the form of community benefit and employment. The area of our proposed wind farm has existing development, including hydro infrastructure, access roads and plantation woodland, and we believe it is well placed for a renewable energy project.”

Prof Stuart Gibb, Director of the Environmental Research Institute at North Highland College said: “North Highland College ERI are pleased to work with WKN and Energy North to help deliver both better opportunities for graduates, and better connections between investors, developers and local businesses.”

Ian Couper, Chief Executive of Energy North commented, “The partnership signed with WKN AG, Energy North and North Highland College ERI brings many potential opportunities for our supply chain members, and we look forward to working with both organisations as the partnership progresses.”

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